Feeler mechanism for looms



A. E. RHOADES.

FEELER MECHANlSTv". FOR Looms.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.15, 1920.

Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET L A. E. RHOADES.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED ocr.15. 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALONZO E. RHOADES, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAlPER CORPO- RATION, 0F HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Specification of Letters Patent. L I Patented N 8, 1921.

Application filed October 15, 1920. Serial Np. 417,187.

In mechanisms of this general character,

a feeler is supported for entering the shuttle on each detecting beat of the lay to feel for the filling, and upon detection of substantial exhaustion thereof, to effect replenishment of filling when the shuttle reaches .the replenishing side of the loom. It not in frequently happens that the shuttle fails to be properly boxed, so that on the beatup movement of the lay, the feeler, instead of being engaged with the filling or filling carrier in the shuttle, is liable to be engaged by a part of the shuttle itself, and to call for a change of filling when, as a matter of fact, a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle. Under such conditions, the replenishing mechanism is called into action and the filling carrier or bobbin, which still contains a working supply of filling, is ejected, with a consequent loss and waste of filling. An important feature of the present invention consists in providing means which will lock the feeler from effecting a change of filling when, by reason of an improperly boxed shuttle, the feeler would otherwise call such change.

The shuttle ma be improperly positioned in the detecting s uttle box either by reason of failure of the shuttle to be fully picked home, or by reason of the rebound of the shuttle in the shuttle box. When the shuttle is thus improperly positioned in the detecting shuttle box, the feeler is liable to be struck or engaged by some part of the shuttle, as for instance, the side of the shuttle or the bobbin holding jaws, which usually extend into overlapping relation with respect to the side opening of the shuttle throu h which the feeler enters the shuttle. Un er such conditions, the feeler,

which may be of the side swipe type, will move longitudinally of the shuttle because the end of the feeler will not be restrained from such movement as is usually the case when the end of the feeler properly engages the filling in the shuttle. The present invention, therefore, contemplates the provision of means which, may be conveniently mounted upon the lay, and be positioned by an lmproperly boxed shuttle to prevent movement of the feeler which calls for a replenishment of filling.

The above features of the invention, and other novel elements and combinations of parts, will be hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one good, practlcal form of the invention, which in the instance of the present illustration, is associated with an inclined feeler of the type shown and d e scribed in the patent to Edward S. Stimpson, No. 1,309,226, dated July 8, 1919, although in certain aspects of the invention, it is not restricted to this type of feeler.

In the drawings 1- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the detecting side of a loom, some of the parts being broken away, and more particularly showing the feeler mechanism, the lay, and the locking device;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing the relation of parts on a detecting beat of the1 lay when the shuttle is properly boxed; an

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, showing the position of parts when the ihuttle is improperly boxed on a detecting eat.

The loom frame 1 may be of any usual or desired construction, and has secured thereto the brackets 2, one at each side of the loom frame, which support the transverse or rock shaft 3 for rocking movement, as usual in this general class of looms. The rock shaft 3, when rocked frontwardly, calls into operation the filling replenishing mechanism at the replenishing side of the loom, but as such filling replenishing mechanism and the general operation of the transverse or rock shaft 3 is well understood and may be of usual construction, it is not herein shown and described.

Secured to and extending upwardly from the transverse or rock shaft 3 is the arm 4'to which is pivoted at 5 the actuator 6, the. rear end portion of which 1s adapted at times to be engaged by an operating member '7, to effect rocking movement of the transverse or rock shaft 3. In the present instance of the'invention, the actuator 6 has an engaging end portion 8 which may be pivoted to the actuator at 9, and also be provided with a finger 10 which overlies an arm 11 of a bell cranklever, pivoted at 12 to a bracketor supporting arm 13 mounted on the loom frame. The other arm 14 of the bell crank lever is connected to a transmitter 15 which is controlled by'the feeler mechanism, substantially as fully explained 1n the patent to Stinipson, hereinbefore mentioned.

The feeler mechanism shown inthe drawings comprises the stand 16' which may be ment substantially but should the filling be substantially ex-- F 'adjustably secured in position relative to the cooperating parts by a bolt 17 Mount- -ed the front end on the feeler stand 16 is the feeler 18, portion of which passes through a rocking bearing 19, and the rear end portion of which passes through a slotted guide 20 which is capableof movetransversely of the loom frame. Mounted on the feeler is the bridgepiece 21, between which and the front bearlng 19 is interposed a spring 22. The parts so far described may be substantially the same as those of the Stimpson patent hereinbefore referred to, tion of these parts will therefore be unnecessary. The construction is such that should the inclined feeler be moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat, the guide 20 will be moved laterally, and through the transmitter 15 will place the 'end of the actuator 6 in the ath of movement of the operating member which may be either the weft hammer or a art associated therewith.

he lay 23 has the usual shuttle box 24, the front wall of which is provided with an opening 25, with which an opening 26 in the adjacent wall of the shuttle 27 registers when the shuttle is properly boxed, the construction being such that when the shuttle is properly positioned in the detecting shuttle box, the feeler 18 may enter the openings 25 and 26 and engage the filling on the filling carrier or bobbin, and be held from movement longitudinally of the shuttle when a working supply of filling is present;

haustedon a detecting beat, the end of the feeler will-no longer be held by the filling from such lon itudinal movement, and it Will therefore s ide along the filling carrier or bobbinand through the train of mechanism hereinbefore described, efi'ect replenishment of filling.

In shuttles which are usually employed in filling replenishing looms Where the filling and further descrip-.

carrier or bobbin is ejected, and a fresh fill- -ing carrier with a supply of filling is substituted therefor, upon replenishment of filling, it is usual to hold the filling carrier or bobbin in the shuttle by bobbin-holding 'aws, such, for instance, as those shown in igs. 2 and 3, wherein the bobbin 28 has a head portion 29 with the usual rings 30 thereon, and the shuttle has secured to it, the bobbin-holding jaws 31 which, when the filling carrierior bobbin is in position in the shuttle, engage the rings 30. The construction is such that the incoming filling carrier may eject the filling carrier previously in the shuttle. The bobbin-holding jaws, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, usually extend forwardly in the shuttle over the end portion of the slot 26 formed in the side wall of the shuttle. Should the shuttle be improperly boxed on a detecting beat, the end of the feeler may engage a part of the shuttle instead of entering the shuttle, and engaging the filling or filllng carrier. Since the bobbin-holding jaws extend in overlapping relation with the .side openings 26 of the shuttle, the part of the shuttle which is liable to be engaged by the feeler under such conditions, is the side of one of the bobbinholding jaws, as indicated in Fig. 3. Under such conditions, should no means be provided to prevent, the feeler will move longitudinally of the shuttle, and, through the transmitter and connected mechanism, call for a change of filling, and yet there may be a sufiicient supply of fillin in the shuttle to continue the weaving he present invention, therefore, contemplates the provision of means which will act as a lock to prevent such movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the shuttle is not properly boxed.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the locking device is pivotally mounted at 32 on the lay, and preferably adjacent the front wall of the shuttle box, and has an outwardly extending arm 33 provided with a locking portion 34 which, when the feeler is of the inclined type as shown, may be appropriately inclined to be engaged by a stop lug 35' extending upwardly from the bridge 21 of the feeler, when the locking device is placed in locking position by an improperly boxed shuttle, as will now be explained.

The locking device has extending from its pivotal mountin 32, a secondarm 36, igs. 2 and 3, whic has an inturned end portion extending through an opening 37 ormed in the front wall of the shuttle box adjacent the end of the shuttle when the shuttle is end of the shuttle is opposite the end 36 of the locking device, and the sprin 39 thereupon acts to move the end 36 o the locking device inwardly and efi'ect outward movement of the locking portion 34 of the locking device into non-locking position. Under these conditions, that is, with the shuttle properly boxed, the upstanding lug 35 rising from the bridge 21 of the feeler is free to move laterally without obstruction from the inclined portion 34 of the locking device, so that should the filling be substantially exhausted on a detecting beat when the shuttle is properly boxed, the feeler may move longitudinally along the filling carrier or bobbin and effect replenishment of filling. Should the shuttle rebound in the detecting box, or fail to reach its fully home position, the inclined end 41 of the shuttle will no longer present its narrowed or inclined portion to the end 36 of the lockin device, but the end 36 of the locked device will bear upon the wider portion of the shuttle, as indicated in Fig. 3, thereby movin the locking portion 34 of the locking device into locking position relative to the upstandin lug 35 on the bridge 21 of the feeler. nder such conditions, should the end of the feeler be engaged by a part of the shuttle, as for instance, the bobbin-holding jaw 31, and consequently be free to move longitudinally of the shuttle, the locking portion 34 of the locking device will prevent such movement of the feeler by en agement with the upstanding lug 35, as in icated in Fig. 3, and replenishment of filling will not be called, so that the loom will continue to run with the same filling carrier or bobbin in the shuttle. Thus the position of the locking device and its locking portion 34 with respect to the feeler, is dependent upon the position of the shuttle in the shuttle box. In other words, should the shuttle be properly boxed, on a detecting beat, as indicated in Fig. 2, the feeler will perform its detecting function without interference from the locking device; but should the shuttle be improperly boxed on a detecting beat, and the feeler thereby be caused to engage a part of the shuttle, the locking device will be positioned to prevent movement of the feeler to eifect a change device is i of filling, and the loom will continue to run with the old filling carrier still in the shuttle. I I

What is claimed is 1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler supported to enter the shuttle on a detecting beat in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle and which is held from movement along the fillin carrier by en agement with the filling unti substantial ex austion thereof, and meanssupported in position to be engaged by an improperly boxed shuttle and moved by the shuttle into position to prevent movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when it is struck by a part of the improperly boxed shuttle on a detecting beat.

2. n a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler supported to enter the shuttle on a detecting beat in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle andwhich is held from movement along the filling carrier by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, means for effecting replenishment of filling when the feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle, and a preventer mounted to be engaged by an improperly boxed shuttle and moved by the shuttle into position to prevent movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when it is struck by a part of the improperly boxed shuttle on a detecting beat.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a feeler supported to enter the shuttle on a detecting beat in a direction inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle and which is held from movement along the filling carrier by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, a preventer carried by the lay in position to be engaged by an improperly boxed shuttle and operated by the shuttle to prevent the feeler from movement longitudinally of the shuttle when the feeler is engaged by a part of the improperly boxed shuttle on a detecting beat. I g

4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle to effect replenishment of filling when the filling in the shuttle is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, means supported to extend into the path of the shuttle to engage an improperly boxed shuttle and to be positioned by the. shuttle to prevent the feeler from calling replenishment of filling when on a detecting beat the feeler is engaged by a part of the improperly boxed shuttle.

5. In. a fee-ler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler which is mounted to enter the shuttle on a detecting beat and feel for the filling, means set in operation through the feeler to effect replenishment of filling when that in the shuttle has become substantially exhausted, and mechanism supported 1n positionto be engaged by a shuttle and moved by an improperly boxed shuttle into position to prevent the feeler from calling replenishment of filling when on a detecting beat the feeler is engaged by a part of the improperly boxed shuttle.

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movement on at detecting beat by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, and means supported independently of a shuttle but in position to be moved by an improperly boxed shuttle to prevent the feeler from calling replenishment of filling when on a detecting beat the feeler fails to engage the filling due to the improperlyboxed shuttle.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler which is supported to enter the shuttle and feel for the filhng when the shuttle is properly boxed on a de tecting beat, means controlled b the feeler for efi'ecting replenishment oflhng when the feeler detects substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle, and a preventer pivotally supported on the lay and positioned by an improperly boxed shuttle to prevent the feeler from calling a change of fillin 8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted for move ment in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movement on a detecting beat by engagement with the fillmg until substantial exhaustion thereof, and means including an abutment carried by the lay and positioned b the shuttle when it fails to be properly boxed'for interposing the abutment in the path of the feeler to prevent movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler which is supported to enter the shuttle and feel for the filling when the shuttle is properl boxed on a dc tectin beat, means control ed b the feeler for efiectin replenishment of lling when the feeler etects substantial exhaustion of the filling in the shuttle on at detecting heat, a locking device havin a locking portion which is interposed in t e path of the feeler by an improperly boxed shuttle and prevents the feeler from calling a chan e of filling when the shuttle is improperly oxed on a detecting beat.

10. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler which is supported to enter the shuttle and feel for the filling when the shuttle is properly boxed on a detectin beat, means controlled b the feeler for eecting replenishment of filling when the i eeler detects substantial exhaustion of the filling inthe shuttle on a detecting beat, and an abutment which is mounted on the lay to be positioned by an improperly boxed shuttle and interposed in. the path of the feeler as the lay beats up to prevent movement of the feeler to effect a change of filling when the shuttle is not properly boxed on at detecting beat.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ALONZO E. RHOADES. 

